Is the 2020 Kia STINGER reliable?

The 2020 Kia STINGER has 29 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: FUEL SYSTEM problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Kia STINGER?

Top problems: FUEL SYSTEM (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Kia STINGER?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Kia STINGER?

The 2020 Kia STINGER gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Kia STINGER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Kia STINGER is approximately $1,511/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Kia STINGER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Kia STINGER has 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 29. The most common issue is fuel system problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: fuel line connection within the engine compartment had a lock/cover that was not seated/attached. issue was discovered after doing a thorough look over of a newly purchased vehicle in which a loose nut was found in the trunk. upon removal of the plastic engine cover next to the non locked fuel line . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

FUEL SYSTEM

7 complaints

24%

• FUEL LINE CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A LOCK/COVER THAT WAS NOT SEATED/ATTACHED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DOING A THOROUGH LOOK OVER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE IN WHICH A LOOSE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER NEXT TO THE NON LOCKED FUEL LINE
• Dealer stated that the GDI pump has failed and that is not a common issue. My car started shuddering as I was driving in the interstate I5 north at 70mph, then the car stalled in the middle of the freeway, gas pedal was useless, if it was not because my speed was 70mph and the force of the speed kee
• The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“FUEL LINE CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A LOCK/COVER THAT WAS NOT SEATED/ATTACHED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DOING A THOROUGH LOOK OVER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE IN WHICH A LOOSE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER NEXT TO THE NON LOCKED FUEL LINE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE05/11/2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.

Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Kia STINGER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Kia STINGER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,511

Full coverage / month

$126

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1511

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia STINGER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2020 STINGER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 29 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL LINE CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A LOCK/COVER THAT WAS NOT SEATED/ATTACHED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DOING A THOROUGH LOOK OVER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE IN WHICH A LOOSE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER NEXT TO THE NON LOCKED FUEL LINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: FUEL LINE CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A LOCK/COVER THAT WAS NOT SEATED/ATTACHED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DOING A THOROUGH LOOK OVER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE IN WHICH A LOOSE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER NEXT TO THE NON LOCKED FUEL LINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: Dealer said it is a known issue, but the brakes leave deposit on rotors and cause severe shaking while slowing down. Rattles entire car and steering wheel violently. Had this issue first at 5k miles, now at 18k miles and it is back. The dealer turned the rotors for me under warranty at 5k, but now
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)